Psychology Undergraduate Upper-Division Courses

Exploration of contemporary issues in the science of psychology in conjunction with independent research project under the supervision of psychology faculty member. Open only to students formally accepted into the Department of Psychology honors program. Prer., PSY 2100, PSY 2110, junior status and consent of instructor required.

Introductory course on the application of psychological principles to the enhancement of physical health. Class utilizes an experiential format with students actually conducting their own health behavior change program. Prer., PSY 1000.

The role of statistical models in psychological research. Includes models of error and inference, selected analyses of variance and regression, and SPSS applications. Prer. or Coreq., PSY 2100 and PSY 2110.

Course designed to provide an overview of learning. An emphasis will be placed on the theoretical formulation of the conditions that are necessary for learning and retention. Practical applications of learning principles will be considered. Prer., PSY 2100 and PSY 2110.

Covers in substantive form the interdisciplinary field of human sexuality. The topic is approached from the perspectives of physiology, endocrinology, behavior, sociology, ethnology, and anthropology. Prer., PSY 1000.

Survey of personality and individual differences. Topics include evolution, culture, genetics, emotions, personality disorders, and more. Emphasis on how scientist measure personality, major findings of personality science, and the relationship between personality and other branches of psychology. Prer., PSY 1000.

A broad survey course in the biological basis of behavior. Anatomy, physiology and chemistry of the nervous system (with special emphasis on the brain), endocrinology, and genetics are discussed as they apply to the study of behavior. Approved for LAS Natural Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Physical and Natural World. Prer., PSY 1000 or consent of instructor.

A basic survey of myths and realities of multiculturalism and diversity using the theories and data from several subfields within psychology. Racial and ethnic diversity are emphasized, but diversity due to gender, age, sexual preference, and socioeconomic status will also be explored. Prer., PSY 1000.

Subject matter will change depending upon individual instructors and time of offering. Consult Course Search on the UCCS website or the MyUCCS Portal for the topic for any given semester. May be repeated for credit. Prer., PSY 1000.

This course examines gender as it applies to human psychology, with a special focus on the experience of women and girls. A primary goal is to understand how psychologists study the complex relationships between gender and psychosocial functioning. Prer., PSY 1000. Meets with WEST 3450.

An introduction to the diversity in the aging experience for women throughout the major regions of the world. Current, historical, social, economic, legal, and health realities of older women are explored. Approved for LAS Global Awareness requirement. Meets with GRNT 3560 and WEST 3560.

This survey course studies children with learning and cognitive differences, behavioral and emotional disorders, and sensory and physical differences. Emphasis on etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of various disorders from different theoretical perspectives. Prer., PSY 1000.

Organization, function, and dysfunction of the human brain across the life span. Neuropsychological assessment techniques. Reviews behavioral, cognitive, and personality changes as a result of disease, injury, and aging. Prer., PSY 1000 or consent of instructor.

As a service-learning course, students will serve in the community and learn beginning helping skills. Assistance will be provided in locating volunteer positions. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Summit; Writing Intensive. Prer., Consent of instructor.

Focus on issues in the organization, financing, and delivery of mental health services within the community, innovative techniques for the provision of mental health-related services, the role of community factors in the production of emotional disorders, and technologies of community change. Prer., PSY 1000 and PSY 3280.

An introduction for the upper-division undergraduate into the theories and techniques of psychotherapy. The course examines foundations to the practice of psychotherapy, professional ethics, and various approaches to psychotherapy (e.g., psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, existential). Prer., PSY 1000 and PSY 3280.

An introduction to the scientific study of people in work organizations. Emphasis on understanding people in organizations and applying this knowledge to resolve problems of human behavior at work. Prer., PSY 1000.

Continuation of Honors Seminar I (PSY 3000). Students complete independent research projects and meet together with honors program coordinator. Prer., PSY 2100, PSY 2110, PSY 3000, PSY 3100, and consent of instructor. Open only to students formally accepted into the Department of Psychology honors program.

The morphological, neurochemical, and physiological bases of behavior. Topics include the physical substrate for emotion, motivation, consciousness, sleep, learning, and memory. Prer., PSY 3270 or consent of instructor. If course is taken for 4 hours credit, one 2-hour lab per week is required.

Psychological research and theories about memory. Its focus will be on the memory abilities of normal-functioning adults. Memory functions and structures will be inferred from research studies, several of which will be demonstrated in class. Some implications for improving memory will be discussed. Prer., PSY 1000.

Introduction to psychophysical scaling, the physical senses (with special emphasis on audition and vision), and perceptual phenomena. One 2-hour lab per week required if course taken for 4 hours credit. Prer., PSY 2100 and PSY 2110 or consent of instructor.

Principles of classical and operant conditioning in humans and other animals. Presentation of the theoretical basis of behavior modification. One 2-hour lab required if course taken for 4 hours credit. Prer., PSY 1000.

This course provides an overview of the biological foundations of social processes in both human animals and non-human animals including but not limited to neuron networks, neurodevelopment, genetics, hormones, and evolution. The impact of culture on biology will be considered. Prer., PSY 3270.

Outline of the development of psychological theories since the Greek philosophies. The story of experimental psychology and its problems. Schools of psychological thinking. Readings of original sources in English and English translations. Prer., PSY 2100, PSY 2110, and Junior status. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Summit.